My mind is swirling with thoughts of global adventures, serving Christ with open hands versus closed hearts, inspiring others
with one’s passion and spirit, living authentically in a gritty world of homelessness or
warfront venues. I’ve kind of set the global part of my mind and heart on hold when I
got married and became an at-home mom. This has been my “mission field.” Reading these articles and getting a front-row seat on global perspectives, however, has ignited that flame within me. I don’t know where it will take me, and maybe it’s just a stirring for now,
but the times in my life where I felt connected were in helping others, and I’ve missed that.

Thank you, Response staff. You are inspiring greatness in me and others as we are challenged to a different way of thinking and involvement in God’s world.

Stephanie Kelly Hjorten ’93
Everett, Washington

Dispatch From India

I’m always drawn to news about Hyderabad, India. So I was delighted to see your
feature about Joab Lohara [“Touchable at Last,” Autumn 2007].
I had the privilege of meeting him in Hyderabad on my first trip to that city in
February 2006. I taught at a Christian writers
conference held at the YMCA, teaching from an ESL perspective and making use of the M.A.-TESOL degree I earned at SPU.

About 35 people from mission and para-church organizations came to improve their English writing abilities. A few Hindus and atheists added spice and a chance to shine the light of the gospel. We asked Jacob Chinnappa, our local contact, to show us the ministries he
supports in the Dalit community, and visited slum churches, schools, and a ministry to
sex workers and children whose parents have AIDS, as well as a leper colony outside
the city.

I left India overwhelmed by the needs, but encouraged that so many Indian believers had started mini-ministries where the need is greatest….

In the face of overwhelming need, we cannot do much. But, like Mother Teresa said,
we should do one thing with great love.
Thank you for opening our eyes to needs around the world. That’s the growing edge — where God is at work.

Beryl Carpenter ’68Poulsbo, Washington

Love Beyond Belief

I was blown away by the article on Allison Hosley [“Neighbor to Neighbor,” Autumn 2007]. I’m not a student or an alum, but was mysteriously compelled to look through the articles. It is so refreshing to read a story of true passion and love for humankind. If I saw you on the street, and you said you knew a freckle-faced white girl from Southern Oregon who loves caring, living, and working with people she never met in Sudan, who are suffering in an unimaginable way, I would have not believed you for a second.

With today’s intense racial climate here in the U.S., one would think that would be enough to drive people apart. However,
Allison went beyond skin color, race, religion, age, and status, and took her compassion for
others to a heavenly level — despite being in fear of her own safety in a dangerous war-torn country. I admire this woman to the highest degree. … She is truly doing the work of God. Please let her know I appreciate what she is doing.

Lance JacksonSeattle, Washington

Bit by the Language Bug

I am writing to say how pleasantly surprised and encouraged I was to read the Autumn 2007 issue’s “My Response” by David Habecker [“The Great Banquet of Languages”]. He writes, “I had been fascinated
by words and language since my early childhood,” and I am reminded of my own fascination and passion for languages.

I grew up in the Philippines (thus learning several native languages and dialects), but I was enamored with English. When I discovered my dad’s Japanese-English-French-Dutch phrasebook, I was drawn to the unfamiliar alphabets and words. I eventually majored in biology at SPU, where I learned the languages of organic chemistry and biology. And now, a year after graduation, I have begun dabbling (read: unstructured self-study) in Korean and Japanese. My interest in languages has even led me to a couple who facilitates a free Tagalog language conversational class in Seattle.

I am incredibly encouraged to read a first-person account of someone else bit by the
language bug, someone who seems to have been able to find a vocation in this passion. Since the Lord has placed this in my heart,
I believe he’s going to use this interest in
my future. …

Fe Gail Parrilla Temporada ’06Shoreline, Washington

I loved David Habecker’s article [“The Great Banquet of Languages”] in the Autumn 2007 Response. This man showcases exactly what I want to do with my life and studies.

I love languages and culture, and want it to connect with every aspect of my life and faith. This was very inspiring to read!

Kira HendricksenSequim High School, Sequim, Washington

The World Is Flat and Other Books

Thank you for the very interesting article on “Globalization and the Flat World” [Autumn 2007]. I would very much like to join the students of SPU in reading Thomas Friedman’s book. …

Lynn Johnson ’95Portland, Oregon

I’d like to request a copy of the The World Is Flat. Thanks for this wonderful service you offer. … I have thoroughly enjoyed the past books and would never have read them had it not been for this offer.

April Thomas ’00Bothell, Washington

I have enjoyed reading along with SPU
students. The last book that I read along with was The Lemon Tree. This was not only a very well-written and interesting book, but was also very challenging. It brought a great deal of balance into my understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and history. .

Thomas H. BludworthScappoose, Oregon

A Valuable Publication

Our daughter is a junior at SPU, and
we just received the Autumn 2007 Response magazine. It is a wonderful magazine. Thanks for putting out such a valuable publication.

Kevin WhitleySeattle, Washington

What do you think? Don’t be shy! We’d like to hear your opinion about Response or any articles printed in the magazine. To tell us what you think, email response@spu.edu, or visit www.spu.edu/response. You may also write:

Editor, Response

Seattle Pacific University

3307 Third Avenue West, Suite 116

Seattle, Washington 98119-1922.

Letters must be signed and will be printed as space permits.

from the presidentAnticipationPresident Philip Eaton reminds us that God's promise to “do something new” creates and sustains our hope.

campusNew Leadership The School of Theology welcomes Doug Strong, Ph.D., as its new dean.